C T Online Desk: Chasing 144 for victory, the Tigers reached their target in just 17.4 overs.
Bangladesh made light work of their chase in their first match in the Asia Cup, with captain Litton Das leading from the front.
Chasing 144 for victory, the Tigers reached their target in just 17.4 overs, cruising to a 7-wicket win at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Thursday.
Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan gave Bangladesh a brisk start, putting on 50 before both fell—Parvez for 19 and Tanzid for 14.
That brought Litton to the crease, and the captain turned the chase into a one-sided affair. He scored a scintillating 59 off 39 balls, hitting six boundaries and a six, forging a match-defining partnership with Tawhid Hridoy, who remained unbeaten on 35.
Bangladesh’s pacers had earlier set the platform for the win.
Opting to bowl first, the Tigers restricted Hong Kong to 143/7 in 20 overs. Taskin Ahmed struck early, removing Anshuman Rath for 5 in the second over, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib cleaned up Babar Hayat for 14 and Zeeshan Ali for 30.
Zeeshan’s dismissal was made even more spectacular by Mustafizur Rahman, who sprinted back to take a brilliant over-the-shoulder catch at mid-wicket.
Hong Kong’s middle order, led by Nizakat Khan and Yasim Murtaza, tried to build momentum, but Murtaza fell to a run-out, and Rishad Hossain accounted for both Nizakat and Kinchit Shah in quick succession in the final overs.
Taskin bowled out Aizaz Khan in the last over, ensuring the total stayed under 150. Tanzim, Rishad, and Taskin each claimed two wickets, while Mustafizur and Mahedi Hasan went wicketless but bowled tightly.
The win underlined Bangladesh’s balance: the pacers—Taskin, Tanzim, Mustafizur—have shown they can control an innings, a trait already visible in their recent Netherlands series back home.
However, while they dominated in patches, wickets came in bursts rather than steadily, a potential concern against stronger Group B opponents like Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
Litton’s captaincy and stroke play ensured the chase never threatened to slip, while Towhid’s calm support allowed Bangladesh to finish with authority.
